Match Report

Goals scored
Tony Bush (2), Graham Rix, Dean Weaving

Man of the match
Graham Rix

Landsdowne took on 4th place Rochford Sports II today badly in need of 3 points in their fight against relegation as the team below them Shoebury Old Boys III had 3 games in hand and were only 3 points behind. So a win was essential to steer the vessel from dangerous waters.

Unfortunately yet again Landsdowne could not field a full squad with subs as Dave Rix was unavailable due to his operation 20 years ago, but when fully fit Dave said he's raring to go with the bit between his teeth.

So "Smartys Wingless Wonders" set about their task with the Manager making more tactical changes which turned out to be a masterstroke of epic proportions.

There was good performances all around the pitch and alot of hard work which saw Landsdowne perform to their optimum. Rochford Sports could not seem to penetrate Landsdowne's defence which was protected superbly by Mel and when they did they could not beat the in-form Darren Playford,

Eventually after numerous attacks Landsdowne took the lead with a venomous low drive from Graham Rix leaving the score 1-0 to Landsdowne at half time.

A jubilant Landsdowne got off to a poor start in the second half and had no sheep for about 10 mins. After stopping the onslaught they managed to work their way back into the game with some fantastic work down the right by Graham Rix who rounded the keeper then squared the ball to Tony Bush who with only a defender on the line slotted the ball home to make the score 2-0.

Some 5 mins later Graham hit the post and the ref deemed it as in. This would have closed the game but Graham with all his honesty informed the ref it was not in. Later he found out that not all players are that honest.

After another attack Landsdowne forced a corner, which saw Gavin curl it out from the right and Dean Weaving powering his header into the top right corner. It was now 3-0 and the header can only be described as majestic.

With the score 3-0, Rochford Sports looked dejected until one of their players unfortunately didn't give us the same courtesy that Graham did for them after diving in the box. The ref from his angle to be fair had no choice other than to give a penalty and this made the score 3-1 and put Landsdowne's hairs on end.

Within 5 mins of the restart it was all over when Graham charged down the left with a carbon copy of the second goal leaving Tony to tappy tap tap tapperoonee the ball home.

The score was now 4-1 and it was all over, the time was fading as was Landsdowne's opponents, when a mistake by Danny Sarling gifted their opponents a goal to which he indicated to the bench it was his first mistake, leaving the final score 4-2 and Landsdowne 3 more points clear of relegation.

MAN OF THE MATCH Graham Rix said "it was an all-round good performance, however"..... and that's were the interview ended as the phone rung and he wasn't allowed to speak as off he trundled to a special wave.